Buddleja plant named ‘Lilac Chip’

ABSTRACT

Buddleja  ‘Lilac Chip’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush. ‘Lilac Chip’ is distinguished from other related known cultivars based on the unique combination of traits including at least one of very dwarf growth, spreading habit, purple pink flowers, male sterility, and very low female fertility.

Latin name of the genus and species: Genus: Buddleja. Species: hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Buddleja disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘Lilac Chip’.

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Application Serial No.11-7363 filed Aug. 29, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Buddleja(butterfly bush) grown as an ornamental shrub for home and commerciallandscapes. Butterfly bush is typically grown for its attractive,fragrant flowers that are borne throughout the growing season.

The new and distinct variety of butterfly bush resulted from a formalbreeding program established by the inventors in Raleigh, N.C., UnitedStates. One of the objectives of the breeding program was to develop avery dwarf, spreading Buddleja with purple-pink (lilac color) flowers.‘Lilac Chip’ was selected at a research station in Jackson Springs, N.C.in 2006 from a population of 343 seedling progeny derived from a handpollinated cross of ‘Blue Chip’ (female parent; NCSU variety tested asNC2004-9, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,991×‘Miss Molly’ (male parent; NCSUvariety tested as NC2005-8, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,425) made in 2005 inRaleigh, N.C. ‘Blue Chip’ is a complex hybrid containing 3 differentspecies and one botanical variety of Buddleja (B. davidii, B. davidiivar. nanhoensis, B. lindleyana, and B. globosa). ‘Miss Molly’, the otherparent of ‘Lilac Chip’, is a hybrid of ‘Miss Ruby’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.19,950)×‘Attraction’. ‘Miss Ruby’ was derived from hybridization of‘White Ball’×‘Attraction’. ‘Attraction’ was derived as anopen-pollinated seedling of ‘Honeycomb’, which is a hybrid of B.globosa×B. davidii. ‘Nanho Purple’ is a variety derived from Buddlejadavidii var. nanhoensis. ‘White Ball’ is a complex hybrid, presumablycontaining B. davidii and B. fallowiana. The pedigree of ‘Lilac Chip’ isshown in Table 1. Of all the parents used in the development of ‘LilacChip’, the varieties ‘Blue Chip’, ‘Miss Molly’, ‘Miss Ruby’,‘Attraction’, ‘White Ball’, ‘Nanho Purple’, and ‘Honeycomb’, and thespecies Buddleja lindleyana are available in commerce.

The seeds resulting from the 2005 controlled hybridization process wereharvested in fall of 2005 and germinated in a greenhouse in Raleigh,N.C. in the winter of 2006. The resulting 351 seedlings were planted infield trials in spring of 2006 at a research station in Jackson Springs,N.C. These plants flowered in summer 2006, and one plant, designatedNC2006-6, was selected for its very dwarf plant size, spreading habit,attractive lilac-colored flowers, and lack of seed set (very low femalefertility). This original plant demonstrated characteristics identicalto those subsequently expressed on other plants when propagated fromstem cuttings. This single plant is the subject of the present inventionBuddleja ‘Lilac Chip’.

TABLE 1 Pedigree of Buddleja ‘Lilac Chip’.

The distinguishing traits of ‘Lilac Chip’ are very dwarf plant size,spreading growth habit, gray-green leaf color, attractive lilac-coloredflowers, male sterility, and very low female fertility. Ideal culturalconditions for ‘Lilac Chip’ include well-drained soil, full sun, andmoderate moisture. ‘Lilac Chip’ exhibits no serious pest or diseaseproblems known to the inventors, except for occasional spider miteinfestation during periods of hot, dry weather.

The closest comparison known to the inventors are the varieties ‘BlueChip’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,991), and ‘White Ball’ (non-patented).Plants and flowers of this new variety differ from ‘Blue Chip’. Indirect comparisons of ‘Lilac Chip’ and ‘Blue Chip’ in the inventor'sexperimental trials, plants of ‘Lilac Chip’ are more compact, and havepurplish-pink flowers, compared to the blue flowers of ‘Blue Chip’. Inreplicated trials of 10 plants of both varieties, two-year-old unprunedplants of ‘Lilac Chip’ attained a height and spread of 40.5 and 74.6 cm,respectively (height/width ratio=0.54), after two years of growth.Plants of ‘Blue Chip’ attained a height and spread of 79.8 cm and 126.3cm (height/width ratio=0.64), respectively. ‘Lilac Chip’ is distinctlydifferent from ‘White Ball’. In direct comparisons of ‘Lilac Chip’ and‘White Ball’ in the inventor's experimental trials, plants of ‘LilacChip’ are consistently more spreading as compared to the globosearchitecture of ‘White Ball’. ‘Lilac Chip’ is shorter in height and haspurplish/pink flowers as compared to the white flowers of ‘White Ball’.

The inventors conducted the first asexual propagation of ‘Lilac Chip’ infall 2006 in Raleigh, N.C., and ‘Lilac Chip’ has subsequently beenpropagated in the same location in years 2008, and 2009. In all cases,the original plant selection was propagated asexually by softwood tosemi-hardwood stem cuttings. Such cuttings root readily under mist inabout 14 to 21 days, and resume normal growth. Ten plants derived fromstem cuttings of the variety were established in experimental test plotsin Jackson Springs, N.C. in 2007. During all asexual propagation, thecharacteristics of the original plant have been maintained. Plantsderived from stem cuttings exhibit characteristics identical to those ofthe original plant, and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.

Test plantings and performance evaluation over six years at a researchstation in Jackson Springs, N.C. demonstrate this variety to berelatively consistent in its characteristics even under the differentgrowing conditions associated with yearly climatic variation.

Plants of the new variety are very dwarf after establishment in thefield, being less vigorous and more dwarf than most cultivars ofbutterfly bush in commerce. Young plants have averaged about 20.2 cm ofheight growth per year. Plants are spreading in growth habit. Floweringoccurs in the first year of growth on newly formed wood. Theinflorescence is a panicle, and shows a purplish-pink flower color.Flowering usually begins in early June in Jackson Springs, N.C., andcontinues throughout the growing season until the first freeze event inOctober or November. An individual inflorescence flowers for about 7-10days, depending on temperature, but new flowers are made during theentire growing season. Female fertility of flowers is very low, and thenew cultivar sets limited seed in a field or landscape setting, an assetin landscape plantings.

‘Lilac Chip’ is distinguished from other related known cultivars basedon the unique combination of traits including very dwarf growth,spreading habit, purple pink flowers, male sterility, and very lowfemale fertility.

The new variety has been named the ‘LILAC CHIP’ cultivar. First publicoffer for sale of ‘Lilac Chip’ was made in Grand Haven, Mich., U.S.A. onAug. 1, 2011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Lilac Chip’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that hasthe following unique combination of desirable features outstanding in anew variety. In combination these traits set ‘Lilac Chip’ apart from allother existing varieties of butterfly bush known to the inventors.

-   -   1. ‘LILAC CHIP’ has low vigor resulting in very dwarf growth.    -   2. ‘LILAC CHIP’ demonstrates a dense, spreading growth habit.    -   3. ‘LILAC CHIP’ exhibits male sterility and very low female        fertility and reduced seed set, resulting in less opportunity        for seedlings to originate in the landscape setting.    -   4. ‘LILAC CHIP’ has purplish-pink flower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The photographs in the drawings were made using digital photographytechniques, and show the colors as true as reasonably possible bydigital photography. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly fromthe color values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colors of the new Buddleja variety ‘Lilac Chip’.Photographs were taken from two to four-year-old plants growing inJackson Springs, N.C.

FIG. 1 shows a typical plant of ‘LILAC CHIP’, showing the dwarf growth,spreading growth habit, dense foliage, and purplish-pink flowers.

FIG. 2 shows the entire inflorescence of ‘LILAC CHIP’.

FIG. 3 shows the typical coloration and form of leaves of ‘LILAC CHIP’.This figure shows the upper (top) and lower (bottom) leaf surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and ornamentalcharacteristics of the subject butterfly bush ‘LILAC CHIP’. Color dataare based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 edition. Where dimensions, sizes,colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood thatsuch characteristics are approximations of averages set forth asaccurately as practicable.

The descriptions reported herein are from four-year-old specimens grownin field research trials in Jackson Springs, N.C.

-   Genus: Buddleja.-   Species: Complex hybrid, including davidii, globosa, and lindleyana.-   Denomination: ‘LILAC CHIP’.-   Commercial classification: Shrub, deciduous.-   Common name: Butterfly bush.-   Type: Ornamental.-   Uses: Patio container plant, herbaceous perennial border, or shrub    border for residential and commercial landscapes.-   Cultural requirements: Full sun exposure, well-drained soil, and    moderate moisture.-   Parentage: ‘LILAC CHIP’ is a sixth-generation hybrid that resulted    from the most recent cross pollination of ‘Blue Chip’×‘Miss Molly’.    See Table 1 in “Background” for entire pedigree.-   Plant description:    -   -   Blooming period.—June through October.        -   Blooming habit.—Paniculate.        -   Vigor.—Low vigor.        -   Plant habit.—Dwarf, spreading habit.        -   Height and spread.—0.40 m (height) and 0.75 m (width) on            two-year-old unpruned plants.        -   Hardiness.—To date, hardy to minus 8 degrees Centigrade. Not            tested below this temperature. Anticipated adapted from USDA            hardiness zones 5-9.        -   Propagation.—Softwood to semi-hardwood cuttings under            intermittent mist. Roots typically form in 2-3 weeks.        -   Root system.—Fibrous, spreading.        -   Seasonal interest.—Purplish-pink flowers in spring, summer,            and fall on a very dwarf shrub with spreading growth habit.        -   Disease and pest susceptibility and resistance.—No            particular susceptibility or resistance, except occasionally            susceptible to spider mites under very hot and dry            conditions.        -   Special growing requirements.—Moderate yearly pruning in            late winter or early spring prior to bud break is            recommended to encourage more profuse flowering.-   Stems:    -   -   Shape.—Stem cross section is quadrangular.        -   Length.—Average 21.0 cm. in one year of growth.        -   Color.—Yellow-green (RHS 146C) on recently formed shoots.        -   Diameter.—3.0 mm at base of new growth.        -   Stem surface.—Pubescent.        -   Pubescence.—Sparse.        -   Internode length.—3.1 cm in the middle of new growth.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Deciduous.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite, decussate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaf apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial).—Glaucous.        -   Leaf margin.—Serrulate.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—5.8 mm length. 1.0 mm width.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate and pubescent.        -   Petiole color.—Yellow-green (RHS 146C).        -   Leaf color.—Adaxial side=green (RHS 146A). Abaxial            side=grayed-green (RHS 191C).        -   Leaf length.—Average length (5 leaves)=6.8 cm.        -   Leaf width.—Average width (5 leaves)=2.2 cm.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None detectable.-   Flowers:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Loose panicle.        -   Flower shape.—Salverform.        -   Petals.—4 in number.        -   Fused or unfused.—Fused at base.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Rounded lobes, serrulate.        -   Petal base.—Truncate.        -   Petal surfaces.—Glaucous.        -   Petal shape.—Rotund.        -   Petal dimensions.—7.6 mm total length. 7.2 mm width at apex.            1.0 mm at base.        -   Petal color.—Adaxial and abaxial surface (open            flower)=Violet (RHS 84C). Closed flower prior to            opening=Purple (N 78C).        -   Corolla tube color.—Outside of corolla=Violet (RHS 84B).        -   Corolla throat color.—Inside of corolla=Orange (RHS N25A).        -   Corolla tube surfaces (inner and outer surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Corolla tube shape.—Tubular.        -   Color of peduncle.—Green (RHS 142B).        -   Peduncle surface.—Glaucous.        -   Peduncle length.—6.2 cm.        -   Peduncle shape.—Flattened oval in cross section.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—2.4 mm in length and less than 1 mm in            diameter.        -   Pedicel color.—Green (RHS 142B).        -   Pedicel shape.—Flattened oval in cross section.        -   Pedicel surface.—Glaucous.        -   Flowers persistent or self-cleaning.—Flowers are persistent.        -   Lastingness of the overall inflorescence.—7-10 days.        -   Lastingness of an individual flower.—3-5 days.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—6.2 cm length. 2.0 cm width at            base, tapering to 1 mm at tip.        -   Quantity of flowers.—87.4 flowers per panicle (average of 5            panicles).        -   Bud apex.—Rounded lobes, serrulate.        -   Bud surface.—Glaucous.        -   Bud shape.—Elongated, linear balloon.        -   Calyx shape.—Tubular.        -   Calyx dimensions.—2.0 mm in width and 2.8 mm in length.        -   Sepals.—Four in number.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal surface.—Glabrous.        -   Sepal color.—Green (RHS 142B).        -   Flower fragrance.—Distinct sweet fragrance.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Absent.        -   Anther shape.—Absent.        -   Filament size.—Absent.        -   Pollen amount.—Absent.        -   Pistil.—One in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—3 mm in length, and less than 1 mm in            diameter.        -   Stigma color.—Yellow-green (RHS 143C).        -   Ovary.—Present.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary shape.—Oval.        -   Fertility.—Low seed set in a field setting.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—Swollen capsule.        -   Dimensions.—2.8 mm length (variable) and 1.0 mm diameter            (variable).        -   Color.—Yellow-green (RHS 144C) when immature.-   Herbarium voucher: A voucher of ‘Lilac Chip’ will be deposited into    the Herbarium of North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh,    N.C., USA upon patenting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of butterfly bushplant (Buddleja) substantially as illustrated and described,characterized by at least one of its dwarf growth, dense and spreadinggrowth habit, white flower color, male sterility and very low femalefertility.